Is long-term steroid use connected to dementia? Research shows a possible link through memory problems and brain changes, but it is not proven to directly cause full-blown dementia like Alzheimer’s. Scientists have found clues in studies on how steroids affect the brain.
Steroids, often called corticosteroids, help treat inflammation, allergies, and autoimmune diseases. Doctors prescribe them for conditions like arthritis or asthma. But when people take them for a long time, side effects can appear. One worry is how they impact the brain.
A key study looked at the hippocampus, a brain area vital for memory. This part of the brain has many receptors for corticosteroids. Long-term use of a steroid called MPL disrupted normal brain rhythms and gene activity there. It impaired long-term memory in tests, while short-term memory stayed okay. The study used mice but points to risks in humans on steroid therapy, where memory loss is common.[1] You can read more at https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2211996120.
Other reports note that long-term steroids can lead to neuropsychiatric symptoms. These include mood changes, confusion, and cognitive decline. In one case with Behçet’s disease, a patient on steroids showed cognitive impairment. Experts suggest steroids cause irreversible damage in the hippocampus.[4] Details are here: https://amjcaserep.com/abstract/full/idArt/949699.
PubMed records also mention long-term steroid use causing brain-related issues alongside infections.[3] Check it out: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41447175/?fc=None&ff=20251225220323&v=2.18.0.post22+67771e2.
Mental health risks tie in too. Long-term steroid users face higher chances of anxiety, irritability, and other problems. While not dementia itself, these can worsen brain health over time.[5] See the article: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-women-steroids-dont.html.
Not all steroid types act the same. Hormone replacement therapy for menopause, for example, shows no clear dementia risk.[6] Link: https://www.aol.com/news/study-reveals-effects-hrt-dementia-233029085.html.
Doctors lack guidelines for steroid-related brain effects. Patients on long-term treatment should watch for memory issues and talk to their doctor. The NHS gives out steroid cards to alert emergency teams to risks.[7] More info: https://www.disabled-world.com/medical/healthcare/uk-healthcare/steroid-treatment.php.
Sources
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2211996120
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e7d5/8abf9faf89cbcd187b8236c85fa02bb9ed86.pdf
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41447175/?fc=None&ff=20251225220323&v=2.18.0.post22+67771e2
https://amjcaserep.com/abstract/full/idArt/949699
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-women-steroids-dont.html
https://www.aol.com/news/study-reveals-effects-hrt-dementia-233029085.html
https://www.disabled-world.com/medical/healthcare/uk-healthcare/steroid-treatment.php
